Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant Lawsuits (2026 Update)

Medically Reviewed & Written by Dr. Shezad Malik, M.D., J.D., Board-Certified Physician & Trial Attorney

Patients nationwide are filing lawsuits alleging that the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI) was defectively designed, prone to premature failure, and sold without adequate warnings. As a board‑certified physician and product liability attorney based in Dallas, I evaluate Cartiva cases from both a medical and legal perspective.

Do You Qualify for a Cartiva Lawsuit?

✔ You received a Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant

✔ You experienced pain, implant failure, or complications

✔ You required revision surgery or big toe fusion

✔ Your implant was placed between 2016 and 2024

✔ X-ray imaging shows subsidence, bone loss, or fragmentation

📞 Call 214‑390‑3189

What Is the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant?

The Cartiva SCI is a hydrogel implant used to treat hallux rigidus, a degenerative arthritis of the big toe.
It was marketed as a motion‑preserving substitute for fusion surgery, but thousands of patients report severe complications. The Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant was made by Stryker Orthopedics and granted FDA premarket approval in 2016.

Why Cartiva Implants Fail

✔ Defective hydrogel design causing degradation

✔ High rates of subsidence (implant sinking into bone)

✔ Fragmentation or displacement of the implant

✔ Severe pain and loss of mobility

✔ Need for revision surgery or fusion

Common Cartiva Complications

✔ Severe pain with weight‑bearing

✔ Loss of toe mobility

✔ Nerve injury or numbness

✔ Swelling and inflammation

✔ Bone cysts or osteolysis

✔ Joint space collapse

✔ Implant fragmentation

Cartiva Recall Timeline

Date	Event
July 2016 – Oct 2024	Distribution period covered by recall.
Oct 31, 2024	Stryker issues Class II recall for the Cartiva SCI. FDA Recall Database
Feb 5, 2026	Federal Cartiva cases centralized into MDL No. 3172. JPML MDL Docket
Aug 26, 2026	Initial federal court organizational hearing scheduled. Eastern District of Arkansas MDL Page

MDL No. 3172 — Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant Litigation

Background:

These cases allege defects in the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant, which is a hydrogel implant designed to treat arthritis at the base of the big toe. On February 5, 2026, the United States Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) found that actions in this litigation involve common questions of fact and that centralization and consolidation in the Eastern District of Arkansas will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses. The JPML transferred the matter to the Eastern District of Arkansas and assigned the Cartiva cases to the Honorable Kristine G. Baker for coordinated and consolidated pretrial proceedings.

MDL Number: 3172

Master Docket: 4:26‑md‑03172‑KGB

Judge: Chief Judge Kristine G. Baker

Court: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas

Court MDL Information

Cartiva Lawsuit FAQ

What is the Cartiva implant?	A hydrogel plug used to treat hallux rigidus. Hallux Rigidus Studies (PubMed)
Why does it fail?	Subsidence, fragmentation, bone loss, and severe pain. Hydrogel Implant Failure Research (PubMed)
Is there a recall?	Yes — Stryker Class II recall issued October 31, 2024. Stryker Recall Information
Is there a settlement?	No global settlement exists as of 2026.
Where is the MDL?	Eastern District of Arkansas, MDL No. 3172. JPML MDL Listing

External Medical & Legal Resources

FDA Medical Device Recall Database

JPML – MDL Docket

Eastern District of Arkansas – MDL Court

PubMed – Hallux Rigidus Studies

PubMed – Hydrogel Implant Failure Research

Stryker – Cartiva Recall Information

Medico‑Legal Disclaimer:
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice.
As both a licensed physician and attorney, I provide general educational content here, but
individual diagnosis, treatment decisions, and legal evaluations require a formal consultation.

Free Cartiva Case Review

Nationwide representation for defective medical device claims. No fees unless we win.

If you or a loved one received a Cartiva implant, tell us:

When was the original implant surgery?
Have you experienced any complications or needed revision surgery?

We can provide more information on the next steps to getting compensation.

📞 214‑390‑3189

🏛️ Why Hire Dr. Shezad Malik Physician–Attorney for Your Cartiva Case

As a board‑certified medical doctor (M.D.) and product liability trial attorney (J.D.), I bring a dual‑discipline approach:

I litigate defective medical device cases nationwide

I interpret your imaging and surgical records myself

I identify device‑related failure patterns

I prepare medically precise causation arguments

🧪 Medical Complications Linked to Cartiva Failure

As both a physician and attorney, I evaluate:

Radiographic Findings

Implant subsidence
Bone cysts
Osteolysis (bone loss)
Joint space collapse
Fragmentation of the hydrogel plug

Clinical Symptoms

Severe pain with weight‑bearing
Loss of toe mobility
Nerve injury or numbness
Swelling and inflammation
Difficulty walking or standing

Surgical Outcomes

Permanent disability

Revision surgery

Removal of the implant

Bone grafting

Fusion (arthrodesis)

⚠️ Why Patients Are Filing Cartiva Lawsuits

Cartiva lawsuits allege that the implant was:

1. Defectively Designed

Patients claim the hydrogel material degrades, loses structural integrity, and fails to maintain joint spacing — leading to bone erosion and severe pain.

2. Sold Without Adequate Warnings

Lawsuits allege that the manufacturer Stryker hid high failure rates from doctors, the FDA, and patients about:

High revision rates
Risk of implant subsidence
Risk of fragmentation
Long‑term durability concerns

3. Prone to Premature Failure

Independent data and litigation filings highlight unexpectedly high failure rates, often within months or a few years after implantation.

4. Responsible for Serious Medical Harm

Many patients ultimately require:

Removal of the implant
Bone grafting
Fusion surgery
Permanent loss of mobility

Potential Compensation:

Claims include money for medical bills, revision surgeries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

⚠ Statute of Limitations Warning

Every state has strict statute of limitations deadlines that control how long you have to file a Cartiva implant lawsuit. These deadlines vary by state and may depend on when you first experienced symptoms, when the implant failed, or when you learned the failure was linked to the Cartiva device.

If you wait too long, your claim may be barred permanently, even if the Cartiva implant caused severe pain, bone loss, or required revision surgery.

To protect your rights, contact a qualified attorney immediately for a case evaluation.

About the Author

Shezad Malik, MD JD is a board‑certified physician and trial attorney focusing on
defective medical devices and pharmaceutical product liability. He combines clinical

experience with litigation strategy to evaluate Cartiva implant failure cases

from both a medical and legal perspective.

Based in Dallas, he represents clients nationwide in complex product liability and multidistrict litigation.

⏱ Texas Two‑Year Deadline

Texas enforces a strict two‑year statute of limitations for product liability and personal injury claims, including Cartiva implant failures.

In most cases, you must file suit within two years of discovering that your injury was caused by the Cartiva device. Missing this deadline may permanently bar your claim. If your Cartiva implant failed, do not delay — the legal clock may already be running.

📅 Multi‑State Statute of Limitations Overview

State	Deadline	Notes
Texas	2 years	Discovery Rule applies
California	2 years	Delayed discovery common in medical device cases
Florida	4 years	Longer window for product liability
New York	3 years	Starts at injury discovery
Illinois	2 years	Discovery Rule applies

Important: These deadlines vary by state and may change based on individual circumstances.
A formal legal evaluation is required to determine your exact filing deadline.

⚠ Don’t Wait — Protect Your Rights Today

Statute of limitations deadlines can expire quickly. If your Cartiva implant failed, caused bone loss,
or required revision surgery, contact Dr. Shezad Malik Law Firm, physician‑attorney immediately for a free case review.